Ocean

Fossil records show that over 99% of species that ever lived on the planet Earth have gone extinct. Five mass extinctions that major geologic and climatic events caused were responsible for this disastrous loss. Unfortunately, scientific evidence indicates that the sixth mass action is currently taking place. So what is causing the sixth mass extinction? Read on for what is causing this dreaded problem and expert tips on minimizing the dangers associated with it.

Introduction

Scientists have underestimated the efficiency of the biological pump for centuries. A recent study from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a US research institute dedicated to studies in the marine sciences, has revealed this. Before the industrial era, the ocean was a major producer of carbon dioxide, not a carbon sink. However, the study suggests that the ocean is currently overwhelmed and needs a savior. So, what is the biological pump? Keep reading for more on this, how it has saved the Earth from extinction for years, why and how we should now save it, and more.

Introduction

Arctic sea ice is melting at a rapid rate. According to NASA, sea ice has been reducing by 13% each decade since it started measuring this rate in 1979. But why does the loss of arctic sea ice matter?

You probably don’t realise that arctic sea ice helps to regulate temperatures across the globe. Sea ice reflects about 80% of sunlight into space. This action balances the temperature across the planet. Scientists call this the albedo effect.

Introduction

While carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential for plant and animal survival, too much concentration in the atmosphere can have devastating consequences. CO2 has proven to be a significant contributor to air pollution, taking a substantial role in the greenhouse effect. That’s because carbon dioxide traps radiation at the ground level, resulting in ground-level ozone. That prevents the earth from cooling during the night and warms ocean waters.

What Is Carbon Dioxide?

Co2 is a standard greenhouse gas naturally existing in the atmosphere, accounting for about 75% of emissions in the air we breathe. However, it can live in the atmosphere for thousands of years. Research also shows that the level of carbon dioxide concentration has risen to 355 parts per million (PPM), compared to 270 PPM recorded in the 1700s.

Introduction

According to estimates, the entire human population throws away four million tons of trash on daily basis, out of which 12.8 percent is plastic. The studies have revealed that around 8 million tons of plastic waste produced in the world are dumped into the ocean on annual basis. This plastic waste in the ocean is highly destructive for marine life, resulting in the death of millions of different marine species, endangered the lives of marine life, and disturb the aquatic ecosystem.